4: Deliberate self harm and suicide Flashcards
What phrase should you use instead of attempted suicide?
Deliberate self harm
How common is psychiatric illness in people who
a) deliberately self harm
b) complete suicide?
a) Less common
b) More common
(Men / women) have a greater suicide risk.
Men
Which groups in society have a greater suicide risk?
Poor and disadvantaged
Which UK country has the highest suicide rate?
Scotland
Men tend to choose more ___ methods of suicide.
violent
How are methods of suicide made less attractive by the government?
Inconvenience
e.g not being able to buy tons of paracetamol at once
Suicide rates are higher in (rural / urban) areas.
urban
At what time of year are suicide rates greater?
Spring
At what time of year are suicide rates lower?
Winter
Why are suicide rates thought to be higher in the spring?
Sense of alienation for depressives
weather is improving but they feel the same (or worse)
Suicide rates are higher for people born when?
Spring
unsure why
How does marital status affect suicide rate?
Married people are less likely to commit suicide
People who have been recently separated or widowed are more likely to commit suicide
Which jobs are associated with a greater suicide risk?
Why?
Farmers
Doctors
Vets
Armed Forces
Access to the means of carrying it out
Why did suicide rates increase in 2007?
Recession
The greater the ___ of a suicide method, the greater the suicide rate by that method.
availability
Which group of chronic diseases have the greatest effect on suicide risk?
Chronic disabling neurological diseases
Parkinson’s disease, MND…
Social ___ increases your risk of suicide.
alienation
What is the association between religious beliefs and suicide?
Decreased risk of suicide
suicide is a sin in many religions
How do we know that suicide has a genetic component?
Twin studies show concordance
Suicide has a strong ___ component.
genetic
Which mood stabiliser has a protective effect against suicide?
Lithium
Why is the male suicide rate greater than the female suicide rate?
Women have better support networks than men - social cohesion
Suicide methods chosen by males are more violent - more likely to be successful
Which age group is at greater risk of deliberate self harm?
Young people (15 - 30)
What is the most common method of non-fatal deliberate self harm?
Poisoning
What is the strongest risk factor for suicide completion?
Previous deliberate self harm
What is the biggest risk factor for suicide?
Hx deliberate self harm
Can you 100% predict that a patient will attempt suicide?
No
What does ambivalence mean?
Mixed feelings on something
A patient who has self-harmed or wishes to should be asked about what?
Timeline of events - what’s happened, trigger
Self harm - what have they done
Mental state
What services exist in the management of deliberate self harm or suicide?
Psychological therapy
Counselling
Social work
Addiction services
Listening services e.g Samaritans
Which terms should you avoid when discussing self harm and suicide with patients?
Attempted suicide
‘Committed’ suicide
Unsuccessful suicide
